Using cyberspace and modern means of communication to attain maximum advantage is an art which the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) seems to have realised right on time.
The party has now shed the inhibition of using the space and technology and is now reaching out to unconventional vote bank—youth and people who spend more time on internet and phone.
The party kick started aggressive membership drive by launching a website that encourages a user to register online. Besides, the party has floated mobile number and a helpline number for party supporters to ring-up to become active member. Party leaders claim that the initiative has drawn a good response and that it has left others behind on cyberspace. The website and telephone numbers were inaugurated on September 9 by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
“We are getting a good response not only from Jharkhand but from people living across the country. We have left behind every other party (in Jharkhand). So far we have added 32,000 people in our present strength,” said JMM Spokesperson, Supriyo Bhattacharya.
The aggressive drive to widen base by wooing youngsters who are not considered traditional vote bank of the party indicates a growing desperation in the party to rally people of all social strata behind it and before the election schedule is announced.
Nonetheless, largest regional party in Jharkhand Assembly is said to be reaping great dividends after launching website and toll free numbers. As many as 5000 people dropped a call on telephone numbers floated by the party and the website also draw a significant number of hits since it was launched.
“On the first day we received close to 5000 calls and since then we are getting between 1,500 and 2,000 calls on an average per day,” said a call centre operator monitoring the helpline number.
Interestingly, the party expects the response to swing votes in its favour in the upcoming assembly election and also believes that the swing will be magnified because of BJP’s (Bhartiya Janta Party) average performance in by-elections in other States.
“We are in a better position compared to other political parties. We have seen the mood among voters also. So I am sure that we will emerge stronger after assembly elections,” maintained Bhattacharya.
The website offers an insight into party’s organizational structure, ideology, leadership, vision and manifesto besides schemes launched by the State Government and JMM’s initiative for common man.